JPH0958076A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten time for sending data and developing an image by providing a means for transporting an unreversed paper to which data is transferred which transports the paper to which data is transferred, to a loading means without reversing the paper, and a means for resupplying the paper. SOLUTION: A paper for output undergoing a fixing process by a fixing part 207 is once transported to a paper discharge part 208, then is reversed for transport, and is transported to a part 210 for loading a paper to which data is transferred for resupply of paper through a member 209 for switching a transport direction. Next, if a copy is prepared, a copy image is read, and a transfer paper is fed by the part 210 for loading a paper to which data is transferred for resupply of paper. After all, two copy image can be output from the front and the rear face of the same paper for output. In addition, if the paper is transported to the part 210 for loading a paper to which data is transferred for resupply of paper through the number 209 for switching the transport direction, without reversing the transport direction of the paper, two copy images can be outputted to the front face of the same paper for output. Thus, when printing copies of the same format, it is possible to shorten time for sending data and development of an image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
In particular, it relates to a printer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing a document created by a computer or the like. A method has been used in which a page description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL) is transferred from a computer to a printer, a PDL is developed into an image image page by page by a printer expansion unit, and output by a printer output unit.

[0003]

When printing an original created by a computer or the like, the transfer time is improved by using a method of transferring one page of PDL data to the printer and expanding the image into an image by the expansion unit of the printer. Has the advantage of being short and having good image quality. However, because of the PDL data, when a large number of originals of the same format are printed, the format part is also transferred from the host to the printer every time and expanded by the expansion part of the printer each time, and the transmission time and the expansion time are long. There was a possibility that it would take.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having input means for inputting image information, output means for outputting the image information on a transfer sheet, and stacking means for stacking the transfer sheet. The apparatus is provided with a non-inverting conveyance means for conveying the transferred paper to the stacking means without inverting and a re-feeding means for re-feeding the transferred paper.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an image input device for converting a document into image data (hereinafter referred to as “reader unit”), 2 is a plurality of recording paper cassettes, and image data is visible on the recording paper by a print command. An image output device (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) 3 for outputting as an image is an external device electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions. The external device 3 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, and a formatter unit for converting information from the computer 12 into a visible image as a circuit for executing various functions. 8, an image memory section 9 for accumulating information from the reader section 1 and temporarily accumulating information sent from the computer 12, and a core section 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions. Reference numeral 11 is a hard disk, 12 is a workstation (WS), and a computer having a function as a personal computer (PC).
3 is a telephone line. The functions of the above units will be described below.

Description of Reader Unit A detailed description of the reader unit will be given with reference to FIGS. Documents stacked on the document feeder 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the glass surface of the document table 102. When the document is conveyed, the lamp of the scanner unit 103 lights up and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the document. The reflected light of the document passes through the mirrors 105, 106 and 107 to the lens 1
08, then CCD image sensor unit 109
(Hereinafter referred to as CCD).

Next, the image processing in the reader 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The image information input to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here and is converted into an electric signal.
The color information from the CCD 109 is transferred to the next amplifier 110.
The signals are amplified by R, 110G, and 110B according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111. The output signal from the A / D converter 111 is input to the shading circuit 112, where uneven light distribution of the lamp 103 and uneven sensitivity of the CCD are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is input to the Y signal / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 by the following equation to obtain a Y signal. Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B Further, it has a color detection circuit for separating the R, G, B signals into seven colors and outputting the signals for the respective colors. An output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to a scaling / repeat circuit 114. Depending on the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104, the scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by the scaling circuit 114 in the main scanning direction. In addition, the repeat circuit 114
It is possible to output a plurality of identical images. The contour / edge enhancement circuit 115 obtains edge enhancement and contour information by enhancing high frequency components of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit. The signal from the contour / edge emphasis circuit 115 is used as a marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.
Is input to

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads the portion of the manuscript written with a marker pen of a specified color to generate contour information of the marker, and the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 thickens the contour information to mask or trim the contour information. I do.
Further, patterning is performed by a color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

The output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is input to the laser driver circuit and variously processed signals are converted into signals for driving the laser. The signal of the laser driver is input to the two printers and image formation is performed as a visible image.

Next, an external I / F for performing I / F with an external device
The F switching circuit 119 will be described. The external I / F switching circuit transfers the image information from the reader 1 to the external device I / F.
When outputting to the section, patterning, thickening, masking,
The image information from the trimming circuit 117 is sent to the connector 120.
Output to When the image information from the external device 3 is input to the reader 1, the external switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 11.
Enter 3

Each of the above-mentioned image processings is performed according to an instruction from the CPU 122, and the area generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the above-mentioned image processing from the values set by the CPU 122. Further, communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the CPU 122. The SUB / CPU 123 controls the operation unit 124 and communicates with the external device 3 by using the communication function built in the SUB / CPU.

Description of Printer Unit A signal input to the printer 2 is converted into an optical signal by the exposure control unit 201, and the photoconductor 202 is illuminated according to the image signal. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. A transfer sheet is conveyed from the transfer sheet stacking section 204 or 205 at the same timing as the latent image, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer section 206. After the transferred image is fixed on the transfer sheet by the fixing unit 207, the image is discharged from the sheet discharging unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220 or to the highest bin of the sorter when the sort function is not working. .

Next, a method for outputting the sequentially read images on one output sheet will be described. After the output sheet fixed by the fixing section 207 is once conveyed to the sheet discharge section 208,
A conveyance direction switching member 209 that reverses the conveyance direction of the sheet
It is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210 via. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, so that the surface of the same output paper is ended up. , Two document images on the back side can be output. Further, when the sheet is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer sheet stacking section 210 via the conveyance direction switching member 209 without reversing the sheet conveyance direction, two original images can be output on the surface of the same output sheet.

Description of External Device The external device 3 is connected to the reader 1 by a cable, and the core portion in the external device 3 controls signals and controls each function. In the external device 3, a fax unit 4 that performs fax transmission / reception,
A file unit 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the same, a formatter unit 8 for developing code information from a computer into image information, a computer interface unit 7 for interfacing with the computer, and storing information from the reader unit 1. In addition, the image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing the information sent from the computer, and the core unit 10 for controlling each of the above functions.

The functions of the respective parts will be described in detail below.

Description of Core Section The core section will be described with reference to FIG. The connector 1001 of the core unit 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader unit 1 by a cable. The connector 1001 contains four types of signals, and the signal 1057 is an 8-bit multi-level video signal. The signal 1055 is a control signal for controlling a video signal. The signal 1051 is the CPU in the reader 1.
122. The signal 1052 is the S in the reader 1.
Communicates with the UB / CPU 123. The signal 1051 and the signal 1052 are subjected to communication protocol processing by the communication IC 1002, and communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053.

The signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and it is possible for the core unit 10 to receive information from the reader 1 and to output information from the core unit 10 to the reader unit 1. The signal 1057 is sent to the buffer 1010.
Where the bidirectional signal to the unidirectional signal 105
8 and 1070 are separated. Signal 1058 is for reader 1
8-bit multi-valued video signal from LUT1 of the next stage
011 is input. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader 1 into a desired value by using a look-up table. The output signal 1059 from the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 includes a simple binarization function for binarizing the multi-valued signal 1059 at a fixed slice level, and binarization based on a variable slice level in which the slice level varies from the values of pixels around the target pixel. It has a function and a binarization function by an error diffusion method. The binarized information is converted into a multilevel signal of 00H at 0 and FFH at 1 and input to the selector 1013 at the next stage. The selector 1013 is
Signal from LUT 1011 or binarization circuit 101
2 output signal is selected. The output signal 1060 from the selector 1013 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs video signals from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 to connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 100, respectively.
The signal 1064 input to the core unit 10 via 9 and the output signal 1060 of the selector 1013 are selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. Output signal 1061 of selector 1014
Is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 adds +90 to the input image signal.
It has a function of rotating by degrees, -90 degrees, and +180 degrees. The rotating circuit 1015 stores the information after the information output from the reader 1 is converted into a binary signal by the binarizing circuit 1012. Next, according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information. The selector 1016 outputs the output signal 1062 of the rotation circuit 1015.
And an input signal 1061 to the rotation circuit 1015 is selected, and as the signal 1063, a connector 1005 with the fax unit 4, a connector 1006 with the file unit 5, a connector 1007 with the computer interface unit,
Input to the connector 1008 to the formatter unit 8, the connector 1009 to the image memory unit and the selector 1017.

The signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. The signal 1064 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8,
Synchronous system 8 for transferring image information from the image memory unit 9
It is a bit unidirectional video bus. Signal 1063 above
The video control circuit 1004 controls the synchronous bus of the signal 1064 and the video control circuit 1004.
Control is performed by the output signal 1056 from. In addition to the signals 1054 to the connectors 1005 to 1009,
Are connected respectively. The signal 1054 is bidirectional 16
It is a bit CPU bus, and exchanges data commands asynchronously. Fax section 4, file section 5,
To transfer information between the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10, the two video buses 1063 and 1064 and the CPU are used.
This is possible by bus 1054.

The signal 1064 from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. Selector 1016 is C
The signal 1064 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 at the next stage according to an instruction from the PU 1003.

The selector 1017 selects the signal 1063 and the signal 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The output signal 1065 of the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching 1018 pattern-matches the input signal 1065 with a predetermined pattern. When the patterns match, a predetermined multi-valued signal is output to the signal line 10.
To 66. If they do not match in the pattern matching, the input signal 1065 is output as the signal 1066.

The selector 1019 outputs signals 1065 and 1
066 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003. The output signal 1067 of the selector 1019 is output to the LUT 102 in the next stage.
Enter 0.

The LUT 1020 is for inputting an input signal 10 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting image information to the printer 2.
Convert 67. The selector 1021 uses the LUT 1020.
Output signal 1068 and signal 1065 are selected by the instruction of CPU 1003. The output signal of the selector 1021 is input to the enlargement circuit 1022 at the next stage. Enlargement circuit 1022
In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, the enlargement ratio can be set independently in the X and Y directions. The expansion method is a first-order linear interpolation method. The output signal 1070 of the enlargement circuit 1022 is input to the buffer 1010. The signal 1070 input to the buffer 1010 is the CPU 10
It becomes the bidirectional signal 1057 by the instruction of 03 and the connector 1
It is sent to the printer 2 via 001 and printed out.

The signal flow of the core section and each section will be described below. -Operation of the core section based on the information of the fax section The case of outputting information to the fax section 4 will be described.
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader 1 via the communication IC 1002, and issues a document scan command. The reader 1 outputs image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this command. The reader 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader 1 is transferred to the core unit 10.
Is input to the connector 1001. The image information input to the connector 1001 is the multi-level 8-bit signal line 10
Input to buffer 1010 through 57. The buffer circuit 1010 converts the bidirectional signal 1057 into a unidirectional signal via the signal line 1058 according to an instruction from the CPU, and outputs the LUT1.
Input 011. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. For example, it is possible to skip the background of a document. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. The binarization circuit 1012 is 00 when the binarized signal is 0.
In the case of H, it is converted into two multi-level signals with FFH. The output signal of the binarization circuit 1012 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selectors 1013 and 1014. The output signal 1062 of the rotation circuit 1015 is also input to the selector 1016, and the selector 10
16 selects either the signal 1061 or the signal 1062. The signal is selected by the CPU 1003 on the CPU bus 1
It is determined by communicating with the fax unit 4 via 054. The output signal 1063 from the selector 1016 is sent to the fax unit 4 via the connector 1005.

Next, the case of receiving information from the fax unit 4 will be described. The image information from the fax unit 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005. The signal 1064 is generated by the selector 1014 and the selector 10
Enter in 17. When the image at the time of fax reception is rotated and output to the printer 2 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, the rotation circuit 1015 rotates the signal 1064 input to the selector 1014. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is the selector 1016 and the selector 1017.
Input to the pattern matching 1018 via. The signal 1064 is output as the signal 1065. CPU1003
In the case where the image at the time of receiving the fax is output to the printer 2 as it is according to the instruction, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018.

The pattern matching 1018 has a function of smoothing the rattling of the image when the fax is received. The pattern-matched signal is sent to the selector 101.
9 into the LUT 1020. LUT1020
Uses the CPU of the table of the LUT 1020 to output the received fax image to the printer 2 at a desired density.
It can be changed in 1003. The output signal 1068 of the LUT 1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The enlarging circuit 1022 performs an enlarging process on an 8-bit multivalue having two values (00H, FFH) by a linear interpolation method of the first order. The 8-bit multi-valued signal having many values from the expansion circuit 1022 is stored in the buffer 10
10 and the connector 1001 to the reader 1.
The reader 1 sends this signal to the external I / O via the connector 120.
It is input to the F switching circuit 119. The external I / F switching circuit 119 inputs a signal from the fax unit 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is processed as described above and then output to the printer 2 to form an image on an output sheet.

The operation of the core section according to the information of the file section The case of outputting information to the file section 5 will be described.
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader 1 via the communication IC 1002, and issues a document scan command. The reader 1 outputs image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this command. The reader 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader 1 is transferred to the core unit 10.
Is input to the connector 1001. The image information input to the connector 1001 is converted into a one-way signal 1058 by the buffer 1010. The signal 1058 which is a multi-valued 8-bit signal is converted into a desired signal by the LUT 1011. The output signal 1059 of the LUT 1011 is input to the connector 1006 via the selector 1013, the selector 1014, and the selector 1016. That is, the binarization circuit 10
12 and 8 bits without using the function of the rotating circuit 1015
The multi-valued data is transferred to the file unit 5 as it is. When filing a binarized signal by communication with the file unit 5 via the CPU bus 1054 of the CPU 1003, it has the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015. The binarization process and the rotation process are omitted because they are the same as the case of the above-mentioned fax.

Next, the case of receiving information from the file unit 5 will be described. The image information from the file unit 5 is sent as a signal 1064 to the selector 1 via the connector 1006.
014 or input to the selector 1017. In the case of 8-bit multi-valued filing, go to the selector 1017, and in the case of binary filing, the selector 1014 or 101.
It is possible to input in 7. In the case of binary filing, it is omitted because it is the same as fax processing. In the case of multi-value filing, the output signal 106 from the selector 1017
5 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. In the LUT 1020, a look-up table is created according to an instruction from the CPU 1003 in accordance with a desired print density. Output signal 1068 from LUT 1020
Is input to the enlargement circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The 8-bit multilevel signal 1070 enlarged to a desired enlargement ratio by the enlargement circuit 1022 is supplied to a buffer 1010,
It is sent to the reader 1 via the connector 1001. The information of the file portion sent to the reader 1 is output to the printer 2 and image formation is performed on the output paper, similarly to the above-mentioned fax.

Operation of Core Unit According to Information of Computer Interface Unit The computer interface unit 7 interfaces with a computer connected to the external device 3.
SCS-, RS as computer interface
232C, with Centronics. The computer interface section 7 has the above three types of interfaces, and information from each interface is stored in the connector 10
It is sent to the CPU 1003 via 07 and the data bus 1054. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the transmitted contents.

The operation of the core section based on the information of the formatter section The formatter section 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface section 7 described above into image data. When the CPU 1003 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is data regarding the formatter unit, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit via the connector 1008. The formatter unit 8 develops the transferred data in the memory as a visible image. Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 8 and forming an image on an output sheet will be described. The image information from the formatter unit 8 is transmitted as a multi-level signal having two values (00H, FFH) on the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008. The signal 1064 is supplied to the selector 1014, the selector 10
17 is input. The selectors 1014 and 1017 are controlled by an instruction from the CPU 1003. Hereafter, the description is omitted because it is similar to the case of the above-mentioned fax.

The operation of the core section according to the information of the image memory section The case of outputting information to the image memory section 9 will be described. The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader 1 via the communication IC 1002, and issues a document scan command. The reader 1 outputs image information to the connector 120 when the scanner unit 104 scans a document according to this command. Reader 1 and external device 3
Is connected by a cable and the information from the reader 1 is
It is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. The image information input to the connector 1001 is sent to the LUT 10 via the multi-level 8-bit signal line 1057 and the buffer 1010.
11 is sent. Output signal 1059 of LUT 1011
Transfers multi-valued image information to the image memory unit 9 via the selectors 1013, 1014, 1016 and the connector 1009. The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 is C through the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009.
It is sent to the PU 1003. The CPU 1003 transfers the data sent from the image memory unit 9 to the computer interface unit 7 described above. The computer interface unit 7 transfers to the computer by a desired interface among the above three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS232C, Centronics).

Next, a case where information is received from the image memory unit 9 will be described. First, image information is sent from the computer to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7. CPU 1003 of core unit 10
When it judges that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1054 is the data related to the image memory unit 9, the data is transferred to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009. Next, the image memory unit 9 receives 8b via the connector 1009.
It multi-level signal 1064 is sent to selector 1014, selector 1
It is transmitted to 017. An output signal from the selector 1014 or the selector 1017 is output to the printer 2 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, similarly to the above-described fax, and an image is formed on an output sheet.

Description of Fax Unit The fax unit 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The fax unit 4 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. When the binary information from the core unit 10 is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and the memories A405 and B406 are controlled under the control of the memory controller. , Memory C40
7. Any of the memories D408 or two sets of memories connected in cascade. The memory controller 404 is instructed by the CPU 412 to execute the memory A4
05, memory B406, memory C407, memory D40
8 and a mode for exchanging data with the CPU bus 462, and C of the CODEC 411 having an encoding / decoding function.
A mode for exchanging data with the ODEC bus 463, a memory A405, a memory B406, and a memory C40
7. The contents of the memory D408 are stored in the DMA controller 402.
And a mode for exchanging data with the bus 454 from the scaling circuit 403 under the control of the timing generation circuit 40.
Binary video input data 454 under control of memory A
It has five functions: a mode for storing in any of the memories 405 to D408 and a mode for reading out the memory contents from any of the memories A405 to D408 and outputting to the signal line 452.

Each of the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408 has a capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 409 uses the connector 40.
0 and signal line 459 are connected to each other, and control signals (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, VE) from the core unit 10 are connected.
N), it generates signals to accomplish the following two functions:

One is to store an image signal from the core unit 10 in one of the memories A405 to D408,
Or the function of storing in two memories;
405 to the memory D 408 and has a function of transmitting the read signal line 452. The dual port memory 410 is connected to the core unit 10 via the signal line 461.
The CPU 412 of the fax unit 4 is connected via the CPU 1003 of FIG. Each CPU
Exchange commands via the dual port memory 410.

The SCSI controller 413 interfaces with the hard disk 11 connected to the fax unit 4 of FIG. Stores the data when sending a fax and when receiving a fax. The CODEC 411 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, encodes the image information by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then encodes it into one of the memories A405 to D408. Store as information.
In addition, after the encoded information stored in the memories A405 to D408 is read out and is combined by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, the combined information, that is, an image, is stored in one of the memories A405 to D408. Store as information.

The MODEM 414 has a function of modulating the coded information from the hard disk 11 connected to the CODEC 411 or the SCSI controller 413 in order to transfer it to the telephone line, and demodulates and codes the information sent from the NCU 415. Convert to information, CODEC411
Alternatively, the encoded information is transferred to the hard disk 11 connected to the SCSI controller 413. NCU4
Reference numeral 15 exchanges information with a switching system installed directly at a telephone station or the like by being directly connected to a telephone line by a predetermined procedure.

An embodiment of fax transmission will be described. The binary image signal from the reader 1 is the connector 400
Further, it is inputted and reaches the memory controller 404 through the signal line 453. The signal 453 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. Memory A4
The timing stored in 05 is generated by the timing generation circuit 409 by the timing signal 459 from the reader 1. The CPU 412 replaces the memory A 405 and the memory B 406 of the memory controller 404 with the CODEC 411.
Connected to the bus line 463. CODEC 411 is
The image information is read from the memory A 405, encoded by the MR method, and the encoded information is written in the memory B 406. When the CODEC 411 encodes the A4 size image information, the CPU 412 causes the memory controller 40
4 memory B 406 is connected to the CPU bus 462. C
The PU 412 sequentially reads the coded information from the memory B 406 and transfers it to the MODEM 414. MODEM
414 modulates the encoded information and sends the fax information over the telephone line via the NCU.

Next, an embodiment of fax reception will be described. The information sent from the telephone line is NCU41
5 and connect to the telephone line by the NCU 415 according to a predetermined procedure. The information from NCU415 is MODEM414
Entered and demodulated. The CPU 412 is the CPU bus 462.
Information from the MODEM 414 via the memory C407
To memorize. When the information of one screen is stored in the memory C407, the CPU 412 controls the memory controller 404 to connect the data line 457 of the memory C407 to the line 463 of the CODEC 411. CODE
The C411 sequentially reads the coded information in the memory C407 and stores the coded information in the memory D408 as composite information, that is, image information. The CPU 412 is a dual port memory 41
0, and communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10,
Settings for printing out an image from the memory D408 to the printer 2 through the core unit are performed. When the setting is completed,
The CPU 412 activates the timing generation circuit 409 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 460 to the memory controller. Memory controller 404
The image information is read from the memory D 408 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409, transmitted to the signal line 452, and output to the connector 400. The process from the connector 400 to the printer 3 is omitted because it has been described in the core section.

Description of File Section A detailed description of the file section 5 will be given with reference to FIG. The file unit 5 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 500 and exchanges various signals. The multi-level input signal 551 is input to the compression circuit 503, where the multi-level image information is converted from multi-level image information into compression information and output to the memory controller 510. The output signal 552 of the compression circuit 503 is output to the memory controller 510.
Under control of memory A506, memory B507, memory C
508, the memory D509, or two sets of memories connected in cascade.

The memory controller 510 is the CPU 51.
6, a mode for exchanging data with the memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, the memory D 509 and the CPU bus 560, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 570 of the CODEC 517 for encoding / decoding, Memory A506, memory B50
7, the contents of the memory C508 and the memory D509 are controlled by the DMA controller 518, and the scaling / rotation circuit 511 is operated.
Mode for exchanging data with the bus 562 from
Five functions of a mode in which the signal 563 is stored in any of the memories A506 to D509 under the control of the timing generation circuit 514 and a mode in which the memory contents are read from any of the memories A506 to D509 and output to the signal line 558. Have.

The memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 each have 2 Mbytes.
And stores an image equivalent to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi. The timing generation circuit 514 is connected to the connector 5
00 and a signal line 553, and the core 10
Control signals (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals to achieve the following two functions. One is a function of storing information from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A506 to D509, or two memories, and two is a read signal from any one of the memories A506 to D509. This is a function of transmitting to the line 556. The dual port memory 515 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via a signal line 554 and the CPU 516 of the file unit 5 via a signal line 560. Each CP
The U exchanges commands via the dual port memory 515.

The SCSI controller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 520 connected to the file unit 5 of FIG. The external storage device 520 is specifically composed of a replaceable magneto-optical disk 521, and stores data such as image information. The CODEC 517 reads the image information stored in any of the memories A506 to D509, encodes the image information by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then encodes it into any of the memories A506 to D509. Store as information.
In addition, after the encoded information stored in the memories A506 to D509 is read out and is combined by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, the combined information, that is, an image, is stored in any one of the memories A506 to D509. Store as information.

An embodiment of accumulating file information in the external storage device 520 will be described. An 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader 1 is input from the connector 500 and the signal line 5
The signal is input to the compression circuit 503 through the line 51. The signal 551 is
The data is input to a compression circuit 503 and converted into compression information 552 here. The compressed information 552 is stored in the memory controller 510.
To enter. The memory controller 510 includes the core unit 10
A timing signal 559 is generated by the timing generation circuit 559 in accordance with the signal 553 from the CPU 553, and the compressed signal 552 is stored in the memory A 506 according to this signal. CPU 516
Connects the memory A 506 and the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the bus line 570 of the CODEC 517. The CODEC 517 reads the compressed information from the memory A 506, encodes it by the MR method, and writes the encoded information in the memory B 507. CODEC 517
Upon completion of encoding, the CPU 516 connects the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the CPU bus 560. The CPU 516 stores the encoded information in the memory B.
The data is sequentially read from 507 and transferred to the SCSI controller 519. The SCSI controller 519 stores the encoded information 572 in the external storage device 520.

Next, an embodiment for extracting information from the external storage device 520 and outputting it to the printer 2 will be described. Upon receiving the information search / print command, the CPU 516
Receives the encoded information from the external storage device 520 via the SCSI controller 519 and transfers the encoded information to the memory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 connects the CPU bus 560 to the bus 566 of the memory C508 according to an instruction from the CPU 516. When the transfer of the encoded information to the memory C508 is completed, the CPU
The memory controller 516 controls the memory controller 510 so that the memory C 508 and the memory D 509 are stored in the CODEC 5.
17 bus 570. The CODEC 517 reads the coded information from the memory C 508, sequentially decodes the coded information, and then transfers it to the memory D 509. If scaling or rotation such as enlargement / reduction is required when outputting to the printer, memory D
509 is connected to the bus 562 of the magnification / rotation circuit 511,
The contents of the memory D509 are scaled or rotated under the control of the DMA controller 518.

The CPU 516 is the dual port memory 5
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via 15, and makes settings for printing out an image from the memory D509 to the printer 2 through the core unit 10. When the setting is completed, the CPU 516 activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 559 to the memory controller 510. The memory controller 510 reads the composited information from the memory D509 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 514,
It is transmitted to the signal line 556. The signal line 556 inputs to the decompression circuit 504, where the information is decompressed. The output signal 555 of the expansion circuit 504 is output to the core unit 10 via the connector 500. The process up to the output from the connector 500 to the printer 3 has been described in the core unit 10 and will not be described.

Description of Computer Interface Unit 7 The computer interface unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The connector A700 and the connector B701 are
It is a connector for a SCSI interface. The connector C702 is a connector for a Centronics interface. The connector D703 is an RS232C interface connector. The connector E707 is a connector for connecting to the core unit 10.

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700, connector B701),
When connecting devices having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, cascade connection is performed using the connector A700 and the connector B701. When the external device 3 and the computer are connected on a one-to-one basis, the connector A700 and the computer are connected by a cable, the terminator is connected to the connector B701, or the connector B701 and the computer are connected by a cable. To the terminator. Information input from the connector A700 or the connector B701 is transmitted via the signal line 751 to the SCSI I / F-A704 or the SCSI I.
/ F-B708. SCSI I / F-A70
4 or the SCSI I / F-B 708 outputs data to the connector 707E via the signal line 754 after performing the procedure according to the SCSI protocol. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10, and the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 receives the information input to the SCSI / I / F connector (connector A700, connector B701) from the CPU bus 1054. The data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is SC
SI / Connector (Connector A700, Connector B70
When outputting to 1), the procedure is reversed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics I / F 705 receives data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs the data to the connector E707 via the signal line 754. The connector E707 is the core unit 1
0 is connected to the CPU bus 1054, and the core unit 10
The CPU 1003 receives the information input to the Centronics I / F connector (connector C702) from the CPU bus 1054.

The RS232C interface is connected to the connector D703 and is connected to the RS via the signal line 753.
232C I / F 706. RS232C ・
The I / F 706 receives data according to the determined protocol procedure, and connects the connector E via the signal line 754.
707. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10,
The PU 1003 is connected from the CPU bus 1054 to the RS232
The information input to the C / I / F connector (connector D703) is received. Data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is transmitted to an RS232C / I / F connector (connector D7).
In the case of outputting to 03), the procedure is reversed.

Description of Formatter Unit 8 The formatter unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. The data from the computer interface unit 7 described above is discriminated by the core unit 10, and if the data is related to the formatter unit 8, the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10
Transfers data from the computer to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 1008 of the core unit 10 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 9. The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 is the dual port memory 80.
The code data sent from the computer via 3 is received. The CPU 809 sequentially develops the code data into image data, and transfers the image data to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 via the memory controller 808. Memory A806 and memory B80
7 has a capacity of 1 Mbytes each, and one memory (memory A806 or memory B807) is 300d.
It is possible to support up to A4 size with pi resolution. 300
In the case of supporting up to A3 size paper at a resolution of dpi, the memory A806 and the memory B807 are connected in cascade to develop image data. The above memory is controlled by the CPU
This is performed by the memory controller 808 according to an instruction from 809.

When it is necessary to rotate a character or a graphic when developing the image data, the image data is rotated by the rotation circuit 804 and then transferred to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. When the development of the image data in the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is completed, the CPU 809 controls the memory controller 808 to connect the data bus line 858 of the memory A 806 or the data bus line 859 of the memory B 807 to the output line 855 of the memory controller 808. . Next, the CPU 809 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 803 and sets a mode in which image information is output from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807.

The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is
CPU 12 of the reader unit 1 via the communication circuit 1002 in 0
The CPU 122 is set to the print output mode by using the communication function built into the CPU 2. CPU 100 of core unit 10
3 activates the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 1008 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. The timing generation circuit 802 stores the memory A8 in the memory controller 808 according to the signal from the core unit 10.
06 or a timing signal for reading the image information from the memory B807. The image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is input to the memory controller 808 via the signal line 858. The output image information from the memory controller 808 is the signal line 85.
1 and the connector 800 to the core unit 10.
Regarding the output of the printer 2 from the core unit 10, the core unit 1
Omitted because it was explained in 0.

In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, an application capable of transferring the PDL data to the printer by dividing the original into the formatted portion and the portion other than the formatted portion is transferred from the computer to the printer and expanded by the expansion unit of the printer. The case will be described.

From the computer, the PDL data of the format portion of the manuscript, for example, the LIPS data, is sent via the SCSI interface of the interface section 7 to the core section 1.
0 (step 1401). Next, the core part 10
To the formatter unit 8 for the LI of the format part of the document.
The PS data is transferred (step 1402). Even if 1 Mbyte of data is transferred between the computer and the interface unit 7, several K bytes are transferred to the formatter unit 8. Then, the transferred image of several Kbytes is expanded (step 1403). The formatter unit 8 outputs an image to the printer 2 if there is a paper discharge command (step 1404). After the output paper output in step 1404 is once conveyed to the paper ejection unit 208, the conveyance direction switching member 209 is used without reversing the conveyance direction of the paper.
The sheet is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer sheet stacking section 210 via (step 1405). It is determined whether the page has been printed for the number of pages of the document (step 1406). If printing of the formatted portion for the page has not been completed, the process is repeated from step 1401 until the printing is completed.

When the printing of the formatted portion for the number of pages is completed, the LIPS data other than the formatted portion of the original is sent from the computer to the SCS of the interface portion 7.
The data is transferred to the core unit 10 via the I interface (step 1407). Next, the core unit 10 transfers the LIPS data of the format portion of the document to the formatter unit 8 (step 1408). Then, the transferred image is expanded (step 1409). If there is a paper discharge command, the formatter unit 8 feeds the transfer paper from the re-feed transfer target paper stacking unit 210 and outputs the image to the printer 2 (step 1410). It is judged whether or not the pages have been completed by the number of pages of the document (step 1411), and if the printing of the format part for the number of pages has not been completed, the process is repeated from step 1407 until the completion.

[0058]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the input means for inputting the image information, the output means for outputting the image information to the transfer paper, and the stacking means for stacking the transfer paper. In the image forming apparatus having the following, by providing a step of conveying the transfer target paper to the stacking means without reversing and a step of re-feeding the transfer target paper, a document of the same format created by a computer or the like is provided. When printing, the transmission time and the development time can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing unit in the reader unit 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core unit 10.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a fax unit 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a file unit 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computer interface unit 7.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a formatter unit 8.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of separately developing and printing a format part and a part other than the format part.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 external device 7 computer interface unit 8 pharmater unit 12 computer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting image information; an output unit for outputting the image information on a transfer sheet; and a stacking unit for stacking the transfer sheet.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a non-reversal conveying unit that conveys the transfer target paper to the stacking unit without reversing, and a re-feeding unit that re-feeds the transfer target paper. 2. An image output means for sequentially outputting an image of a format portion to a plurality of transfer papers based on a format portion of image information input from an external device, and a transfer target on which an image is formed by the image output means. And a transfer unit that temporarily feeds the image-formed transfer target paper to the image output unit without reversing the transfer target sheet from the mounting unit. The image information input from the apparatus and the portions below the format are sequentially output to the transfer paper sequentially fed by the conveying means by the image forming means, and the image information format is formed on the same side of the transfer paper. An image forming apparatus, which forms an image of a part and a part other than the part.